Starting Supply Teaching 101

I am officially finished my B.Ed. Degree :) It was a long time coming but right now I'm thrilled that I am temporarily done school. I would like to go back to university in half a dozen years to get my Masters in French Literature, but right now I can focus on work, and family and my social life.

While I knew having a French degree would be a major advantage, and I can't believe how many opportunities are out there for French teachers (especially in this area). I've already had the opportunity to supply teach a couple of French Immersion classes (Grade 1 and Grade 6/7 respectively), and I have a new found respect for occasional teachers. I was encouraged multiple times to have a "supply kit" ready, filled with games and ideas to take to the classroom when you are called in to supply. I didn't really have that option. I graduated on Friday, and my first supply gig was four days later.

Supply teaching is incredibly stressful and chaotic. You get a call from the secretary of the school in need, possibly less than 30 minutes before you to start, so you grab your stuff, hope you've gotten up early enough to have showered, eaten breakfast and brushed your teeth. You have little or no time to pack a lunch. Once you get to the school, you introduce yourself to the principal and try to remember the first name of the teacher that you are replacing.

Once have finally found the classroom in the maze of a school, you frantically scour the binders and notes the homeroom teacher has left for you, from the day plans to the seating plan of the classroom. You hope and pray that they have left detailed enough plans that a monkey could follow them (and so far this has been the case). It is an assault on the brain all this new information that you need to read and try to absorb, from the typical morning routine, to learning all the students names as quickly as you can. You run to the photocopy room, printing all the handouts/ worksheets you'll need for the day, praying that technology will actually work in your favour and that you'll complete all your prep work before the morning bell rings.

The kids file in, and the whispers of "it's a supply teacher" and "where's Mrs./ Mr. ___________?" fill the room. You greet the kids as you walk in and observe the funny looks they are giving you. Students are very aware of the typical classroom routine and won't hesitate to tell you the order that things should be done in. You constantly refer to the day plans, because you forget what time each block is ending, and making sure you covered the material required. Other teachers pop their heads in and offer their assistance should you need it and are very friendly in the staff room. I didn't realize that if a supply teacher cannot come in, classrooms will have to be merged together; so instead of having two 25 student classes, one teacher could get stuck with 50 students of possibly different grades.

You run around panicked most of the day but manage to adhere to the vast majority of the teacher's lesson plans, usually understanding the material you are teaching, and the kids are becoming more accustomed to you. Classroom management is a whole other ball game; depends on the classroom dynamics of course, but some classes are far more challenging than others. You help the kids out to recess and when the final bell rings, out to their buses as you feel a trickle of sweat trace its way down your back. One day down, X more to go...

Then the process repeats itself, with each classroom being its own unique entity. Perhaps with time it will get easier. Supply teaching in my view, is like a rite of passage. Teachers start their careers supply teaching, then are able to build rapport with multiple principals and through other interviews acquire LTO jobs (long term occasional in teacher-speak). From there you build entitlement and may end up eventually as a permanent teacher, with your own classroom and group of students. I am very fortunate to have started this process already, having graduated merely two weeks ago. Who knows what September 2013, the beginning of the next school year will bring?

Parenthood 101 (Day 8)

Today is my last full day in my role as "mom". Omg. I made it. Wow. That was quite a week. Their mom comes home from Cuba tomorrow and I will be free. I figured tonight I'm gonna order pizza in, as it's my last night here. Nothing else major/crazy planned...just some more of the same old same old.

Wow. Haha, I must say that alot and I apologize. I'm just happy that there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. That sounds bad too, but in all seriousness I just miss my own life, and this has been a rude awakening as to what living with children is like. I'm not opposed to being a stay-at-home mom either. The first five years of a child's life are essential to their development and as my mom put it "I'm not paying anyone to raise my children." I wouldn't mind staying at home, until the kids were of school age, but I want to work, I want to teach. I would want to go back to work, and being a teacher, that would work well as far as schedules go. I didn't go to university to stay at home. I enjoy money and want to be out in the workforce earning it.

Just had to avert a nose bleed situation. Was getting dressed and ready for the morning when I head Isla shrieking like a banshee. I dunno what Cyrus did, but he must have popped her good. There was blood trailing from the living room all the way to the bathroom. Thank goodness blood has never revolted me and I was blessed with a very strong stomach. Got all the blood cleaned up off her face and she was good as new.

Just brought the kids back from the park. I wish it wasn't so freaking cold out so I could run more energy off of them. Sigh. They are currently playing with stamps and ink, which is sure to end up messy. Will be ordering a pizza soon for supper and possibly working in a game of Twister afterwards.

In just over 24 hours I will be off mommying duty. I'll be repacking my suitcase tonight and making sure I have everything before getting driven back tomorrow morning. If learned anything from this experience, it's how difficult and isolating being a stay-at-home parent can be...and this was only for 8 days. I can't even imagine having to do that for years on end, I would lose my sanity. While I love kids, I love the fact that my job allows me to be around kids during the day, and in the evenings I can go home to my quiet house and have my own quiet private time. There is no separation of the two once you have kids. This past week in a way has served as a third type of birth control...the reminder of what having a couple of kids is like and how totally unprepared I am for children (at least for several more years). I do want to be a mom eventually but there are alot of other ducks I need to get in a row before that even remotely becomes a possibility.

Parenthood 101 (Day 7)

Wow. Finally. Last night was the first night since I've been here, that Isla didn't cry until 11pm. She cried till maybe 9pm instead and then eventually talked herself to sleep over the next two hours. It was kinda of refreshing to not have to listen to. I've gotten to the point where any sort of crying grates on my nerves like you won't believe.

Woke up this morning in a remarkably better mood considering the events of yesterday, and knowing that I only have two more sleeps before I can get back to my regular life. Sigh. I know that once I leave I'm gonna miss the two of them, but really I know that I'll be relieved to go about my daily schedule and start doing all the things I love again. I haven't been able to go to badminton, go to yoga class, eat any of my regular foods, spend any of my gifts cards that I've gotten for Christmas, or upload any of the pics I took over the holiday. Everything is put on hold. Only two more sleeps. Think I can...I think I can...I think I can...

Today is looking like a relatively low key day. Cyrus got his video game back after behaving yesterday and going to bed when he was supposed to. I get regular updates about the status of Buzz Lightyear and how many soldiers he's been able to out-run. I honestly don't even think he's playing the game right, but it entertains him, so what the heck. Isla's a bit of a grouch this morning, largely I think, due to lack of sleep throughout the week. I just heard her say "I wish I could be a babysitter," referring to caring for her stuffed animals. Sigh. She has no idea of what she speaks.

I'm looking forward to the hour of afternoon quiet time because I can catch an episode of the Intervention marathon going on today on A&E. There are new episodes starting tonight at 9pm too. Woot.

Life is good. And I can't wait to go to my regular yoga class this Thursday. Its kinda difficult to exercise in my current situation. My body and brain are in some serious need of stretching and meditation.

Sigh. Just took the kids to the park. Friggen children. It was Cyrus this time who decided to get all huffy puffy because I asked him to put his mitts on. It's currently -7 here with the windchill, and frankly I'm gonna be the one in trouble if mom comes home and his hands are all chapped. He decided to sit there with his arms crossed and a look of death on his face, claiming that he "wasn't gonna do anything". It's kinda hilarious now to see children attempt to pull nonsense. He was the one who was begging me all afternoon to go to park, and then once we got there claimed he wanted to go home. *pulls hair out*

Parenthood 101 (Day 5)

I have reached the halfway point of my journey. Wow. Today is New Years Eve and then I only have 3 more days until I can get my old life back. That sounds awful, as if I'm trapped, but in a way I am. My entire day revolves around the kids and I can't really go anywhere without bringing them with me. Even the 10 minutes I spend in the shower away from them, my mind is going through horrible scenarios that could be taking place when I'm not there to watch them.

In a few ways, this experience has gotten easier. Over 5 days, I have gotten used to the new routine of the day, the smells and sounds of the house, the personalities of the two kids, and whereabouts to find everything in the kitchen. I've also gotten better at deciphering what the two of them are saying. Neither of them speaks very clearly and as a language major it's very infuriating to not understand what someone is saying.

Currently supper is in the oven, as well as a batch of cookies that I turned into a loaf shape. I figured they wouldn't care what shape their cookies were in, and frankly I didn't have the patience to dick around with all the spoonfuls of cookie dough.

As tonight is New Years Eve, I'm praying that both kids pass out around 8am at the latest and I don't have to listen to the wailing of Isla again for another four hours. FML. Again, I am getting paid for this, and sometimes that is my only incentive not to put my hand through the wall. It's kinda hard for me to read all of my friends on Facebook posting their status about what they are going to be doing this evening, knowing that I'm rooted here with no possible way of leaving.

Admittedly I'm not a party animal (part of the reason I decided to take this job) but my evening will be consisting of a bottle of sparkling wine and the couch, and possibly some Lindor chocolates. It's kinda depressing in a way too because this time last year I was with my ex on New Years; the party, the kissing at midnight, the whole shebang. Sigh. How things can change in a year.

Parenthood 101 (Day 3)

Made it through two days and two nights. That sounds awful, as if I'm on some survivor show, but wow. It has been eye-opening for sure. It not even having to deal with kids that is wearing on my patience, its the screaming and fighting. The youngest one, Isla, screams over EVERYTHING. And most of the time, there is nothing wrong - she is only doing it to get attention. I caught on to this pretty quickly and have been ignoring it. Its miraculous how she can turn her crying powers on and off. Last night she was homesick for her home, which was genuine. Problem was she cried for four hours. I have worked as a camp counselor and was also occasionally homesick as a child, and as awful as it sounds, a lot of kids just cry themselves to sleep. For me personally, stuffed animals make everything better, and even for this week long excursion, I brought along Billy Idol the sock monkey my mom made me for Christmas.

Just served the kids breakfast; a waffle for Cyrus and a bowl of Lucky Charms for Isla. Another thing that astounds me at mealtimes, these two don't have the concept of dessert after a meal. When I asked the pair of them what they wanted for lunch yesterday, they replied "chocolate pudding". O.o

Lunch was comprised of finger foods - cheese and crackers and grapes. Both of them gobbled it up upon hearing that they could get pudding for dessert if they finished everything on their plates. I'm gathering they don't have regular mealtimes and are generally picky eaters. Supper was chicken nuggets, sweet potato fries with corn and peas and neither of them were able to eat much of the veggies. I guess I was never a very picky kid - largely I think because I was forced ti learn to like most foods. Mom made one meal, if we didn't eat it - we went hungry. Hence I learned to like whatever was placed in front of me. The one exception being tuna casserole, which to this day I can't stomach. I'm not even entirely sure why - I like all the ingredients in it, just not all together.

Both of them passed out around seven last night; I took them to the park for an hour today and they both had a jolly good time sliding around on a giant patch of ice and seeing a dog come by the park with a jogger. They were tuckered out and we're heading to Playtrium today - basically a ginormous jungle gym. I plan to take them to McDonald's for supper afterwards. Should be a good day. Kids are a little easier to deal with when they are tired :P

Parenthood 101

Today is day one of my journey into being a mom. Hold on! Wait! I guess I should go back a few steps. Several months ago, a co-worker of mine asked if I would be interested in making a little extra money over the holidays. A friend of her dad's would be heading down to Cuba over New Years Eve and needed someone to take care of her kids for a week. I jumped at the chance - I can always use some extra cash and I love kids.
While I work with kids from Monday-Friday on a regular basis in the school system, being a nanny is a whole different thing entirely. I don't have to cook for them, or make sure they've brushed their teeth, or make sure they are going to bed in good time.
I got the chance to meet the two munchkins a couple of weekends ago - and they were nice as pie. That being said, I'm not expecting things to run as smoothly as they did the previous time. I babysat them for 6 hours...not for an entire week. I really have no clue what to expect - the whole realm of running a household (children included) is pretty foreign territory for me. As per the request of a couple of friends, I will be blogging about this experience in the evenings, after the kids have gone to bed, and I actually get a few hours to myself. Should be interesting.
I'm currently packing my suitcase for the week and will be getting picked up in about an hour to start my crash course in motherhood. Wish me luck!

Day 1: 10:33 am
So far my morning has comprised of watching Bob the Builder, getting the kids a nutritious breakfast of Lucky Charms and apple juice, opening the new play dough containers they got for Christmas and attempting to play one game of Candy Land. You have never really played any board game, until you try to with a three and a four year old :S The pair of them are chatterboxes and I guess its always difficult with someone elses kids - how you go about enforcing rules is kinda up to your discretion. I consider myself a firm but fun person. I'm a very energetic but that being said, I do demand respect. My mom was a pretty strict disciplinarian growing up, and while I don't think I'll ever been that strict, I can see know how there was method to her madness.
So far the youngest one, Isla, has taken to calling me "babysitter" while the four year old, Cyrus, has called me Bethany on several occasions. I guess I'm sorta used to having my name misspelled and mis-said often enough. The kids are still pretty wired that there is someone new in the household to show all their new Christmas presents to, but I expect that to calm down by the end of today.
The idea of having a babysitter is still a pretty foreign idea to me - I never had one growing up. I never went to before or after-school care, as my mom stayed at home. The only time I ever remember getting babysat, it was by my aunt while my mom and dad went to Canada's Wonderland on a day trip.

Day 1: 3:01 pm
Just finished washing up all the dishes from lunch: a box of Spiral Kraft Dinner. Took the kids to a nearby park and they ran off some energy for half an hour before it started to rain. Had to listen to an entertaining argument about whether we were going to watch The Incredibles or The Land Before Time, only to find out that both DVD's were missing. Chaos ensues and I had to sit though Star Wars:The Empire Strikes back instead. Oh joy. Anyone who knows me at all, knows I loath anything science fiction. Had Isla insist that the extension cord she was dragging around the house was in fact her skipping rope. Sigh. I know I'm far more patient around kids than I am with adults, but dang they can be trying on the nerves. Its the constant chatter and the persistent questions that can drive anyone nuts. Its the constant reminders to not do things and to stop hitting your sister and to finish your meal before it gets cold. Gosh it's only been one day. I know I can do this, but wow the days as a full time parent pass by slowly. I get that these two are not my biological kids, but for simulation sake I feel I'm getting a pretty good dose of reality. I can't even imagine how some (single, unwed, teenage or otherwise) parents do this. I believe I want kids, but this experience so far has made me very happy I don't have any yet.